Billy Bob Thornton’s Daughter Charged with Child Neglect in Death of Baby

Police have charged Amanda Brumfield, movie star Billy Bob Thornton’s 29-year-old daughter, with child neglect causing harm or disability. The criminal charge stems from the death of a toddler that she babysat last October. The baby was 1.

Brumfield reportedly told police that the baby she was taking care struck her head after falling out of a playpen. She was unable to revive the toddler and sought help two hours after the fall accident.

Autopsy results indicate that the girl sustained a traumatic brain injury and fractured her skull. The medical examiner ruled the baby’s death a homicide.

Police say that Brumfield’s account of what happened is not consistent with the toddler’s injuries. Police said they don’t believe that a 1-year-old can balance on a playpen railing. They agree that the toddler struck her head, but they say the force of impact had to have been harder than just falling out of a playpen.

Massachusetts Child Abuse
In the state of Massachusetts, the Department of Social Services looks into all cases involving potential child abuse. Child abuse allegations may include those involving Shaken Baby Syndrome, child rape, physical assault, indecent assault and battery, and child pornography.

According to the Department of Children and Families, Massachusetts ranks #2 among US states for having the most reported child abuse cases. In 2008, there were 119,247 Massachusetts child abuse cases reported-that’s 13 more a day than the number of Massachusetts child abuse cases that were reported in 2007.

That said, not every person accused of or arrested for child abuse is guilty, and parents, stepparents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, siblings, babysitters, and other caregivers can find themselves facing criminal charges for a crime they did not commit.

Some Select Cases are referred to other attorneys for principal responsibility

By publishing this information on this Website, the Boston, Massachusetts law firm of Altman & Altman LLP is not claiming to represent any clients or cases mentioned here. The content provided is designed to inform readers and is not intended as legal advice.